Does A Boomerang Always Come Back?

0:00:04 > 0:00:06Hi, everybody, and welcome to Science Fiction,

0:00:06 > 0:00:09the show which turns scientific fact on its head.

0:00:09 > 0:00:12And playfully alters your perception of reality.

0:00:12 > 0:00:14Well, BUD-E, what's going on today?

0:00:14 > 0:00:16How are you, love?

0:00:16 > 0:00:18Today's question is from Arwen in Darwin.

0:00:18 > 0:00:21She asks...does a boomerang always come back?

0:00:21 > 0:00:23Do you know, this question just won't go away.

0:00:23 > 0:00:25It keeps coming back again and again.

0:00:25 > 0:00:28There are two types of boomerang - non-returning boomerangs...

0:00:28 > 0:00:29Otherwise known as sticks.

0:00:29 > 0:00:31..and returning boomerangs, which are designed to come back.

0:00:31 > 0:00:32Ooh!

0:00:32 > 0:00:35A returning boomerang works a little like helicopter blades.

0:00:35 > 0:00:39Helicopter blades are angled so that when they spin,

0:00:39 > 0:00:43a difference in air pressure is created, which causes it to rise up.

0:00:43 > 0:00:44Up, up, away!

0:00:44 > 0:00:46But in the case of the boomerang,

0:00:46 > 0:00:49there is a second force at work - you.

0:00:49 > 0:00:54- Hugh, who's he?- I mean YOU, the person throwing it.

0:00:54 > 0:00:56Oh. Oh, right, I got you. Yeah. I have you.

0:00:56 > 0:00:58When throwing a boomerang, the main force and direction

0:00:58 > 0:01:00comes from the thrower.

0:01:00 > 0:01:03But the spinning action of the boomerang pushes it to one side

0:01:03 > 0:01:04as it travels through the air.

0:01:04 > 0:01:07A bit like someone wobbling on a bicycle?

0:01:08 > 0:01:10If thrown at the right angle to the wind,

0:01:10 > 0:01:13and with the correct wrist action, the boomerang will follow

0:01:13 > 0:01:16an elliptical path and return to its origin.

0:01:16 > 0:01:17Simple as that.

0:01:17 > 0:01:18Ugh!

0:01:18 > 0:01:19Ohh.

0:01:19 > 0:01:22Well, it does require a lot of practice, professor.

0:01:22 > 0:01:24Don't feel so bad.

0:01:24 > 0:01:27So now you know, Arwen, as long as all the throwing conditions are met,

0:01:27 > 0:01:29a boomerang will always come back.

0:01:29 > 0:01:33And that's no science fiction, that's a fact!

0:01:33 > 0:01:34Ow!

0:01:34 > 0:01:38# Science Fiction. #

0:01:38 > 0:01:40Someone pick me up? Eh?

0:01:40 > 0:01:43Subtitles by Zoe Short Red Bee Media Ltd